Solanine and Related Alkaloids

Abstract

IN an investigation on the relation between solanine content of potato tubers and their resistance to fungal infection, crude extracts of solanine were examined chromatographically, using a modification of Curry and Powell's method¹. The solvent was prepared as described; but after separation the organic phase was shaken up in the separating funnel and sufficient n-butyl alcohol added to remove any cloudiness. This mixture was not only used for development but also placed in the bottom of the tank instead of the aqueous phase. Poor results were obtained if the paper was equilibrated over the aqueous phase before development, suggesting that good separation depended on the ability of the paper to absorb some water from the developing solvent. R _F values varied from one run to another, so that it was necessary to run known compounds for comparison. The position of the alkaloids was detected with a modified Dragendorff's reagent².